Sheet-feeding apparatus.



A. -B. DICK.

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1a, 1908.

Patented July 27, 1909.

3 SEEET8-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

ANDREW. a. GRAHAM o0. PMO'TO-UINOGRAPNER wmmneroa. n c.

A. B. DICK. A

SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS.

- APELIOATION FILED AUG. 1a, 1908 Patented July 27,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR m ATTORNEY A. B. DICK. SHEET FEEDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1908.-

' PatentedJuly 27, 1909.

3 BHBETS-SHEET 3.

an um ATTORNEY ALBERT B. DICK, OF LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO A. B. DICK COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SHEET-FEEDING APEA RATUS.

Elpecification of Letters Patent.

Iatented July 27, 1909.

Application filed. August 18, 1908. Serial No. 449,010.

M tus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for feeding sheets successively to printing, folding and similar machines, and particularly to stencil-duplicating machines having a stoncil-carrying A between which the sheets are fed.

The object of the invention. is to effect certain improvements in the construction of devices for this purpose to the end that an apparatus is provided which is simple in construction, which is uniform and reliable operation and with which accurate registration may be obtained In accordance with the invention, paperstops are provided for arresting a sheet in feeding position, these stops being movable to inoperative position to permit the sheets to pass them, and means are employed for forwarding the sheets from this feeding position to the member or members which are to act upon the sheets. When a sheet is moved to carry its edge into coaction with a stop, it frequently happens that the sheet is buckled slightly, and, on being released, the sheet llattons out under its own weight and in do ing so moves a slight distance away from the stop. [is this movement talses place in some cases only and as the amount of the movement varies, the position of the impressions or folds received by the sheets varies and the registration of the printed matter or folds vith other matter on the sheet is therefore poor. One object of this invention is to overcome this objectionable characteristic of machines of this class and this is accomplished by providing means for moving the sheets rcarwardly or away from the n ember which is to act thereon after the sheets have been fed forward and released. This is preferably done by moving the paper stops against which the sheets are fed to carry the sheets a slight distance in a direction opposite to that in which they are moved to br g them into coaction with the stops. lh hen the stops are moved thus, the sheet slides over the surface of its support and as a result of this movement, when the stops, come to rum and a pressure-roller rest the cage of the sheet is always in contact therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the presence of a sheet in feeding position controls the operation of the devices which act upon the sheet. In a stencild.uplicating machine having a stcnoil-carrying drum and pressure-roller, the presence of a sheet may be made to control the position of the pressure-roller so that when no sheet is fed the roller will be held out of co action with the drum and its surface will not receive ink from the drum. The operation of a cyclometer register may also be made dependent upon the feeding of a sheet so that this register will record, not the number of operations of the members adapted to act upon the sheets, but the number of sheets which are fed to these members. This and other features of the invention will be more fully disclosed hereinafter and definitely set forth in the claims appended hereto.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure l is a central section of the machine, Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same, broken away in part, with the stencil-carrying drum removed, Fig. 3 is a view of a portion of the operating mechanism of the ma chine adjacent to one of the side-frames of the machine, and Fig. 4 is a detail view hereinafter referred to.

Referring to those drawings, the machine consists of a base A on which arc mounted side-frames A A The stencil-carryimg drum U is mounted for rotation in bearings formed in these side--fra1.nes and has a gear 0 adapted to be affixed to one end thereof and meshing with a pinion 0 sccured'on a stub-shaft mounted for rotation in the sideiramc A and carrying an operating handle 0 The gear 0 is loose on the stub-shaft at one end of the stencil-carrying drum 0 and is secured in any suitable manner to a circular spider 0 provided with arc-shaped slots 0 through which screws 0 are adapted to extend, the ends of these screws entering threaded openings in the head of the drum O. The spider c has a scale marked thereon as shown in Fig. 3 and an index 0 is socured to the head of the drum in position to coact with this scale. The drum C is adapted to have an ink-pad c and a stencilsheet (1 secured about the cylindrical surface thereof in the usual manner. The pressure-roller D is adapted to eoact with the cylinder C to effect the printing, this roller being mounted for rotation in the ends of arms d which are pivotally mounted at d upon the side-frames of the machine. Springs (Z each connected at one end to an arm at and at the other to the adjacent sideframe, act on the arms in a direction to carry the roll D upwardly into coaction with the cylinder C. v

' Mounted for rotation upon a stub-shaft E extending inwardly from the side-frame A is a gear 6 meshing with the gear 0. link a is'pivotally connected eccentrically to the gear e at one end and at its other end is pivotally connected to an arm a secured to and extending downwardly from a shaft 6 mounted for rotation in the side-frames of the machine. The lower end of the arm 6 is connected by means of a link 6 to a frame F having two sleeves f formed thereon through which extends a rod f mounted upon the inner side of side-frame A. A spring is coiled on rod f and is secured to the rod at one end by a collar f The other end of springf bears upon one of the sleeves of the frame F so that this spring normally presses frame F to the left in Fig. 3 and in this way insures uniform operation by preventing back-lash. The frame F is extended across the machine and its edge adjacent to the side-frame A, is provided with a groove adapted to receive a rod f" mounted upon the inner side of the sideframe A so that the frame F is guided in its reciprocating movement by the rods f and f Mounted upon the frame F adjacent to opposite edges thereof are two grippercarriers G, G which extend upwardly through slots g in a sheet-metal plate g forming part of the feed-board of the machine and mounted upon side-frames. The side-frames of the machine above the plate 9 are connected by a sheet-metal plate 9 provided with fingers 9 extending forwardly parallel to and a slight distance above the plate g, the forward ends of these fingers being bifurcated as shown in Fig. 2. Secured to the gripper-carriers is a sheetmetal plate H having projections h extending forwardly therefrom, their ends being disposed parallel to and a slight distance above the plate g. These projections h constitute the upper gripperjaws.

Extending between the gripper-carriers G, G below the plate g and mounted for rotation in the carriers is a shaft I having square blocks i secured thereon corresponding in number to the upper gripper-jaws h. The lower grippenjaws lc consist of sheetmetal pieces bent as shown in Fig. 1 and each provided with integral, upwardly turned cars 76 lying one on either side of one of the blocks 11 and having openings through which the shaft T extends. The rear-end of each of these jaws is connected by a spring k to the frame At its forward end each of the lower gripper-jaws 7c is provided with a pad 76 on the bottom of which is a stem provided with a spherical head 76 (Fig; 1)

lying between the end of the sheet-metal piece 7s and a piece 75* affixed thereto in order that the pad can turn in any direction so that its face will be parallel to the face of the corresponding upper gripper-j aw.

Secured to the shaft i near one end thereof is a meml'er J (Fig. 3) having two arms, one of which is adapted to engage an adjustable stop mounted upon the side-frame A in order to rock the meinli er J and the shaft 1 to WillCl'l is affixed. id hen thus rocked, the meml. er J is adapted to ire held in posi tion by a latch 7" pivotally mounted upon the gripper-carrier G and acted upon by a spring j to cause its upper end to turn toward the member J. The lower end of the latch j is adapted to engage an adjustable step 9' mounted upon the side-frame A; As shown in Fig. 3, meml: er J is provided with a notch into which the upper end of latch j isadapted to enter. When the frame F and the gripper-carriers move rearwardly, the latch j? engages the stop and is rocked on its pivot to carry its end out of the notch in member J and the springs 75 acting on the lower gripper-jaws may then turn those jaws and the shaft 5 and niemlzer J to project the ends of the lower gripper-jaws through slots in the plate 9 and into engagement with the upper gripper-jaws h or a sheet extending between the jaws. When frame F and the carriers are moved forwardly, the member J engages stop and. the shaft 1 and member J are roe red against the tension of the springs 76 to such a position that the spring may turn latch y to carry its end into the notch in member J and thus hold member J and shaft I against the tension of springs k When shaft 1 is thus rocked, the blocks i thereon act on. the lower gripper-jaws to turn them in a direction to carry their operative ends downwardly through the slots la in plate g.

In order to arrest the movement of the sheets in feeding position, in which position they are picked up by the grippers and car ried to the pri11tingmeml;er, a plurality of stops L are provided having upwardlyturned ends which project through openings Z in the plate g under the spaces between liiifurcations of the arms 9 The stops L are secured to a l; ar Z extending between the side-frames of the machine and having their ends rounded and movaltle in slots formed on the inner sides of the side-frames, as shown at Z in Figs. 1 and 3. Bar W has springs Z connected thereto and to pins del." Li

pending from plate 9 so that the springs tend to move the bar and the steps toward the printing-memlzer to the position in which the stops are shown in Fig. 2, in which position the r is arrested lay the closet: ends of i the slots 1*. The I '1p1)81.- 3tLI1l6i"S G, G are so shaped that thin edges engage i'ar Z during the rearward n'iovement of the grippercarriers just helore the carriers reach the end of that movement so that har Z and the stops carried therehy move with the grippers and gripper-carriers during a small portion of the return movement of the i1 ars at the end of that movement. 1

he stops L are movairle to operative and inoperative positions hy the rocking of tar Z, this roe/hing oveinent icing eh'ected E y an arm Z secured to hai- Z at one nd havin the other e d entering a notcn in a me or M pivotally mounted upon the sirle-iram A T his momi or M is provided with an upwardly extending arm, the end of which lies in the path of a cam m secured upon gear 6. 1'1 ering m acts on me her to turn it on its pivot in a direction to carry stops L to the operative position, the movement of men'rijer M heing arrested by a stop on the side-frame.

The feed-hoard of the machine consists of a heard 9 additional to the sheet-metal plate 9 and mounted upon the side-hams of the machine with its upper surface in sud;-

stantially 1G plane as the surface of plate g. board has a plurality ot depressions g therem running lengthwise thereof and cxtendi. to the rear of the hoard. Also ruhher bands 9 may he provided extending around lioard g A iiustahle side-guides g may he provided upon the plate 9 to 'coact with the lateral edges of the sheets.

The periphery of the circular spider 0 serves as a cam to position the pressureroller D underlying the stencil-carrying drum. For this purpose the arm (Z adjacent to the side-frame A is provided with an oil"- set n in the form of a sleeve (Fig. 4) forming a hearing for a rod n on the end of which is a roller N adapted to coact with the periphery of the spider i hen roller N is hearing on the periphery of spider c the arms (1 are depressed against the tension of the springs d to such extent hat the pressure-roller is out of operative relation to the drum 0. In the p e 'phery of spider c is a depression a 1. l s. 1 and 3) and as roller N runs along the inclined wall of this depression the pressureroller rises to its operative position. This depression a in s ider c is provided with an inclined side-wal n" (Figs. 3 and 4) and as this inclined side-wall engages the side of the roller N the roller is moved. laterally against the tension of a leaf-spring of hearing against the end of rod n. A second depression a (Figs. 1 and 4) is provided in the periphery of spider 0 beyond the depression n and when this depression a comes opposite roller N the roller will, unless it is held against such movenient, move laterally under the pressure or" spring a to carry it back into position for coaction with the periphery of spider Thus, it rod n and ro er N are not held against lateral inoveino t un.=:ler the to J of spring a, roller t rt wid lo moved. pression of and ride up the '1 wal t reef upon the pi upon .iich it will travei tation of the cylinder C, un

n and roller" iter; ovement into -i roller N w. nain throughout the revo i ier and the sp ngs (5 will in coaction with and reieasing oi roe.

iection 0 formed thereon lying at inc side of the end of arm 0 and serving to brace the arm 'nst lateral strain.

By reference to Fig. 4 t wiil he seen that the lateral. movement of roller N and d n effected by the inclined wali n carries pin 0 over the end of the arm O to a position the side of that arm away from the drum C so that if a m G moves upwardly while pin 0 is in this posit the pin an-zl roller will he held thereby ag 1st retiuning to their former )0- sitions. VJ hen the cam m passes the upwardly extending arm of meinher vi, spring m will turn member M and the stops L to the positions in which they are shown in o if no sheet has been led forward by the grippers, and in this position. of member M, the end of arm 0 will he below the pin 0 and hence will not hold rod n and roller N against lateral movement. However, if a sheet has been fed torv' rd past the stops L 120 by the grippers, then when nieniher M is released by cam m, spring or will turn meinhcr M and stops L a less extent since the stops will be arrested in their upward movement by the sheet which has been forwarded over the ends thereof, and when the stoes are thus arrested, the end of arm 0 will he at one side of the pin 0 and will preclude lateral movement of the pin, the rod n and the roller N under the tension of the spring a headed pin p on frame A extends.

Mounted on the side-frame A is a cyclomcter register P for recording the printed sheets, t being actuated by an oscillating pin p. A lever p is pivotally coi -cted one end to oflset on the arm (5 and has a slot therein through which a The s adapted to be en e gear 0 to turn the on. pivot, the lever being returned to ial position. b a spring p (Fig. 1). and beino; guided in this mover ent by a pin p n tne upper end oi lever 12 is a wide notch p and narrow notch p. When the pressureroller D is depressed, lever p is carried to such position that pin p is in the wide notch p and then as the lever is rocked bv the register will not be operated si co the movement of lever p is not great enough to carry the walls of the wide notch into engagement w's'h pin p. But when the pressurerollcr is raised to operative pos Ion as a sheet is passed into the macl ne, lever p is carried upward until pin p is in the narrow notch 29; then as lever p i actuate-Ii by pin p and spring 22 the register will be operated also by the walls of notch p agin and operating I l: r 1 upper end or the revs 5W pin p" or be operated when drum C is rotated but no sheet is led thereto.

llountod on shalt e" so to be movable tl'iereon is a latch one end of which is adapted to enter depression in the drum U to lock the drum against rotational. movementl T he operation of the machine will now be described: The sheets of paper to be imprinted upon placed upon the teed-board adjacent to the rear edge tnereof and sheets are taken successively from the top of the pile and passed forward manually until the movement of the sheet is arrested by the coaction of its lorwa d edge with the stops L. The construction of the feed-board is such that. the removal of individual sheets from the top of the pile is eatly facilitated, this beingdue to the provision of the depressions in the face of the feed-lmard extending to the rear edge ol the board. [is the stencilcarrying c nder is rotated by handle 6", the frame F, carriers G, G and the ippers will be reciprocated so that the grippers move forward once for each. revolution of the cylinder. As the grippers move rearwardly the lower grippers 7c are held in the depressed position below the surface of the iced-board since shaft 1 and member J are held in the position in which'they are shown in Fig. 3 by the latch j and the blocks 1' on shaft 1 hold the grippers 7r in the depressed positions. As the grippers approach the end. of this rearward or return movement the carriers G, G engage rod Z and move the lat ter therewith a short distance against the pin p tensions of springs Z thus carrying the stops l1 rearwardly with the grippers a short distance. In this movement the stops move the sheet which has been fed forward into coaction therewith over the surface of the feed board so that when the stops come to rest the edge of the sheet will be in engagement with the stops regardless of whether or not the sheet was accurately positioned in feeding it forward manually while the stops were in their forward position. At the end of this rearward movement of the carriers, grippers andstops, the latch j engages stop and is rocked thereby against the tension of its spring to release member J, and shaft 1 being thus released, the springs 752 turn the gripperjaws it together with blocks i, shaft 1 and member J to carry the ends of the grippers upwardly through the slots 76 in the feedioard and the grippenjaws l: grip the sheet between them and. the upper gripper-jaws 7L. The lorward movement ol' the carriers and grippers then begins, the grippers carrying with them the sheet held between them until the forward edge of the sheet passes over the pressure-roller D and between the latter and the drum 0. Immediately after the grippen jaws grip the sheet and before the forward movement of the sheet'begins the cam 'IL ongages member M and turns the latter against the tension of spring 111 thus rocking rod Z by means of arm 7/ in order to depress the stops L below the surface of the teed-board. hcn the forward movement of the grippers and sheet has carried. the forward edge of the sheet past the ends of stops L, cam oz permits member M to be returned by spring m so that the stops L are projected upwardly through openings Zin contact with the under side of the sheet so that a second sheet may be fed forward manually immediately and while the first sheet is being fed forward. mechanically and will be arrested in proper position by the stops L.

Just before the forward edge of the sheet is projected. over the i ressure-roller the depression n comes around into coaction with roller N and the roller is en aged by the inclined side well n and moved laterally thereby against the tension of spring a Roller N is held in the position to which it is moved thus by the straight-Wall beyond the inclined wall 91 when member M is returned to its initial position by spring m. As a sheet is passing between stops L and projections g, the movement oi the stops and of member M is restricted and member M comes to rest in such position that the end of arm 0 is in the same horizontal plane with pin 0. As the rotation of drum C continues the depression 12, comes opposite roller N but the roller cannot move into this depression since pin 0 engages the end of arm O and the latter holds the pin and roller against such movement. Therefore roller N instead of riding on the periphery of cam 0 will lie one side of the cam and the springs (Z hold the pressure-roller D upwardly to press the shoot into coaction with the stencil, the roller N then overlai pin the edge of the cam c somewh The further rotation of the drum causes the sheet to be imp int-ed upon in the usual manner. If at any time no sheet is fed forward by the grippers the return movement Oi stops L will be continued beyond the point at which the stops were arrested by the sheet and member M will be rocked to such a position that the end of arm 0 is carried below pin 0 so that when depression comes opposite roiler N the roller will move into the depression and ride up the inclined bottom-wall thereof, and in so doing, the roller will depress the ends of. arms (Z' and thus carry the pressure-roller to inoperative position so that it will not receive inlr om the drum.

If it is desired to change the position of the impressions received by the sheets with relation to the edges of the sheets, this can be readily done by merely adjusting the time of reciprocation of the grippers with respect to the rotation of the orum C. To do this it is only necessary to turn latch on shaft e" to the position to carry its end into the depression a: in the drun C in order to lock the drum against rotation, then loosen the screws 0 so that spider 0* may turn relatively to the drum, and then operate the handie 0 Such operation of the handie when (h n1 0 is held against rotation turns spider c relatively to the .lrum and when the proper relative positions of the drum and spider are obtained the sores c may be tightened up a; r and the latch it moved to inoperative position. The number of sheets imprinted upon in the operation of the machine is recorded by the cyclometer P, the operation or which is dependent upon the position of the pressure-rolier as above explained, which, in its turn, is dependent upon the feeding of sheets between the drum and pressure-roller; thus the cyolometer is not operated when the drunji is rotated and no sheet is fed thereto.

tine important feature whici'i is characteristic of the mechanism above described is that accurate registration of the impressions received by the sheets ith matter previeusly printed thereon is obtained. This s due principally to the movement of the hosts away from the drum by the rearward novement of the paper-stops L, since in this the eiiect of y movement of the sheet it is released by the hand of the operator The f acti g upon the of the 5 ipper-carriers also aid in seoed registratio since by preventing Jack-lash they help securing uniform op eration.

What I claim is 1. Sheet-feeding apparatus oompris'ig a printing member, a teed-board from which sheets are forwarded to said member, devices for positioning a sheet upon said board, including means for arresting the movement of the sheet over the board and means for reciprocating said means to move the sheet in. a-direction opposite that in which it is moved to carry it into coaction with said member, and sheetiorwarding devices for forwarding the sheet from the position to which it is moved by said first-named. means to said printing member, substantially as set forth.

2. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprisine a printing member, a feed-board, means ror positioning a sheet upon said board by arresting' the movement of the sheet over the board and moving the sheet in a direction opposite that in which it is moved to carry it into coaction with said member, said means including a stop coac'ting with the forward edge of the sheet and means for reciprocating said stop, and sheet-forwarding devices for forwarding the sheet from the position to which it is moved by said means to said printing member, and means for moving said stop to operative and inoperative positions, substantially as set forth.

3. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a printing member, a feed-board, means for positioning a sheet upon said board by arresting the movement of the sheet over the board and moving the sheet in a direction opposite that in which. it is moved to carry it into coaction with said. member, saidv means ncludinc; a stop coacting with the formurd edge or the sheet, moans movable independently of said stop for forwarding the sheet, and means for moving the stop to inoperative position to permit the sheet to pass the stop and for returning it to operative position. immediately after the edge of the sheet has passed the stop and whiie the body of the sheet is passing it to arrest the movement of a second sheet fed. over said board, substantially set '0 4. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a printing member, a feed-board, a stop for arresting the movement of the sheet ed over said board, means for reciprocating the stop to move a sheet in a direction opposite that in which the sheet is moved to carry it into coaction with the stop, mean for moving the stop to operative position for coaction with the edge of a sheet and to inoperative osition to permit the s rte neet to pass, and s 1eetforwarding," devices operating upon a sheet after the sheet has been moved. by the stop for torwardmg the sheet from th position to which it is moved. by the stop to said prin ti a somber, substantially as set forth.

5. Sheetieeding apparatus comprising a printing member, a feed-board, stop for arresting the movement of a sheet fed over said board, means for moving the stop to operative and inoperative positions, means for moving the sto in a direction opposite that in which the s ieet is moved to carry it into coaction with the stop, and means supported independently of said stop movable relatively thereto and operating upon a sheet only after the sheet has been moved by the stop for forwarding the sheet from the position to which it is moved by the stop to said printing member, substantially as set forth.

6. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a printing member, a feedboard, a stop for arresting the movement of a sheet fed over said. board, means for moving said stop backward in a direction opposite that in which the sheet is moved to carry it into coaction with the stop, and means for forwarding the sheet from theposition to which it is moved. by the stop to said member, the movement of said forwarding means being independent of the movement of said stop except during the backward movement of the stop when the stop and forwarding means move together, substantially as set forth.

7. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a rotary printing member, a feed-board, means adjacent to said member for positioning a sheet upon said board including devices for arresting the movement of a sheet over the board and for moving the sheet in a direction opposite that in which it is moved to carry it into coaction with said member, and means reciprocating adjacent to said member for forwarding the sheet from the position to which it is moved to said member, substantially as set forth 8. Sheet -feeding apparatus comprising a rotary printing member, a feed-board, means adjacent to said member for positioning a sheet upon said board including devices for arresting the movement of a sheet over the board and for moving the sheet in a direction opposite that in which it is moved to carry it into coaction with said member, gripperjaws, and means for reciprocating the gripper-jaws to feed the sheet from said position to said member, substantially as set forth.

-9. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a feed-board, a stop for arresting the movement of a sheet fed over said board, means f0 moving the stop to inoperative position to permit the sheet to pass the stop and for returning it to operative position immediately after the edge of the sheet has passed the stop and while the body of the sheet is passing it to arrest the movement of a second sheet fed over said board, means for moving the stop in a direction opposite that in which the sheet is moved to carry it into coaction with the stop, and means movable independently of said step for forwarding the sheet, substantially set forth.

10. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising the combination of gripper-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release asheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaws to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to-initial position, a stop, and means for moving the stop to move a sheet in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the gripper-jaws, substantially as set forth.

11. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising the combination of gripper-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaws to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a stop, and means for moving the stop with the gripper-jaws during a portion of the return movement thereof, substantially as set forth.

12. Sheet feeding apparatus comprising the combination of gripper-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaws to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a stop, means for movin the same to operative and inoporative positions, and means for moving the stop to move a sheet in direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the gripperjaws, substantially as set forth.

13. Sheet -feeding apparatus comprising the combination of gripper-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaws to feed a sheet in one direction and then' return to initial position, a stop, means for moving the same from operative to ino ierative position to permit a sheet to pass the stop, means for returning the stop to operative position immediately after the edge of the sheet h as passed the stop to arrest a second sheet fed into ceaction therewith, and means for moving the stop to move a sheet in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the gripper-flaws, substantially as set forth. r V

1%. Sheet -feeding apparatus comprising the combination of a feed-board, a grip )erjaw mounted above and movable paralle to the plane of the feed-board, a gripper-jaw movable toward and away from said jaw to grip and release a sheet, means reciprocating the gripper-jaws to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a stop, and means for moving the stop to move a sheet in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the gripper-jaws, substantially as set forth.

15. Sheetdeeding apparatus comprising the combination of a feertboard, a gripperjaw mounted above and movable parallel to the plane of the feed-board, a grioper-jaw movable toward and away from said jaw to grip and release a sheet, means for reciproeating the gripperjaws to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a stop, and means for moving the stop with ceases the gripper-jaws during a portion oi the return movement of said jaws, substantially as set forth.

16. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising the combination of gripper-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaWs to feed sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a paper-stop mounted for movement in the direction in which said aws are movable, a spring: for moving the stop in one direction, and meai for causing said gripper-jaws to move said stop against the tension oi the spring during a portion of the return movement of said jaws, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination of stencil-carrying drum, a 1:;ressure-roller coacting therewith, grippenjaws, means for operating said jaws to cause them to grip and release a sheet, a single'means for rotating; said drum and for reciprocating said jaws to cause the vs to feed a sheet in one direction and then re to initial position, a stop, means for moving the stop to move a sheet in a direction oppo site to that in which it is moved by the grippe '-jaws, and means for effecting an adjustment the time of recinro" "ion of the grip per-javrs with respect to it rotation or said drum, substantially as set for encil-carrying tli 18; The combination of drum, a pressuraroller coactingtherewith, grippenjaivs, means for operati said j aws to cause them to grip and release a sheet, a single means for rotating said drum and for reciprocating said aws to cause the to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, papa-stops, means for moving the same to o a native and inc-p ative positions, means for moving 3' P 3, to move a sheet in a direction opp to hat in which it moved by the and means for eil'ecting a. of the time of reciprocation or" with respect to the rotation 0i said drur sunstantially as set forth.

19. The combination of stencil-carrying drum, a pressure-rolier coacting there'a'i iced-bead, a grippenjaw mounted above and movable p allel to the plane of the iced-board, a gripper aw movable toward and array from sa l jaw to grip and release a sheet, a single means for rotating said drum and for reciprocating said gripper jaivs to cause said j IS to feed a sheet in one direction and then return to tial position, for moving said st ps i rive to inoperative position to heel; to pass the st ps and reto operative position imedge or" the sheet has I to a econd sheet fed tion with the stops, means for moving the stone to move the sheet in direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the gripper-jar *s, and means for eilecting an anjustment ol' the time of reciprocation oi gripper-jaws with respect to the rotation of said drum, substantially as set forth.

20. Sheetd'eeding apparatus comprising the combination oi'grip r-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaws to feed sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a stop, a cammechanism for moving the stop to operative and inoperative positions, said mechanism permitting movement of the stop independently thereol', d means for moving; the stop while in operative posi ion to move a sheet in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by said gripper-jaws, substantially as set i'orth.

21. The combination of a stencil-carrying; drum, a pressure-roller coacting therewith, reciprocating gripper jaws for feeding sheets between the drum a. 1d roller, means for moving said relativey to cause them to gri and release a sheet, a single means for rota ing said drum and r ciprocating said and means for eiiecting an adustment of the time of reciprocation oi the gripperaws 'iz'ith respect to the rotation oi the drum includin a loci; iori'ioldin gthe drum against rotatio and meal for disconnecting the drum from sai rotating means therefor, substantially as sat l'orth.

22. The combination of a rotary printing member, feed-board, means f: g positioning a sheet on said board including means for arresting the movement ofa sheet over the board and for moving the sheet in a direction. opposite that in Wiich it is moved to carry it into eoaction with said member, for forwarding a sheet from the position to which it is moved by said in ans to said member, a single means for i "ate r i l member and operating said forward no; means, and i eans for eilecting an adjustment of the ti ie of operation of said forwardrneans With respect to the rotation of said member, substantially as set forth.

The combination of a rotary printing member, a stop for positioning a sheet, me for movn on; the position to which it is said met o said member, a said member and means, and means eii'ecting an adjus'ment of the time of operation of said fort-raiding means with respect to the rotation of said member, substantially as set forth.

The combination or" a rotary printing member, mean for position 0 a sheet and moving the sheet away from said member, sheet-forwarding d vices, means for recipro catin said icrwar ling devices to forward a sheet from the position to which it is moved by said means to saidv member. a single means for rotating said member and operating said reciprocating means for the sheet-forwarding devices, and means for effecting an adjustment of the time of reciprocation of said forwarding devices with respect to the rotation of said member, substantially as set forth.

25. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a rotary printing member, means adjacent to said n'ieinber for positioning a sheet and moving the sheet in a direction away from said member, and means operating between said movin means and said member for forwarding a sheet from the position to which it is moved to said member, substantially as set forth.

26. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising a rotary printi member, a step adjacent to said member for positioning sheet, means for moving the stop to carrvthe sheet in a direction away from said in mber, and means movable relative to said in ember and operating between aid moving means and said member 'cr firwarding a sheet from the position to which it is moved to said member, substantially as r-ct forth.

27. Sheet-fecding apparatus comprising a rotary printing member, a stop adjacent to said member for positioning a sheet, means for movin the stop to ca. ythc sheet ina direction {L2 from saiu member, and means reciprocating adjacent to said member for forwarding the sheet from the position to which it is moved to said member, substan: tially set forth.

28. Sheet-feeding apparatus comprising the cembinatimi of gripper-jaws, means for operating the same to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating the gripperjaws to feed the sheet in one direction and then return to initial position, a stop for pcsitioning the sheet, and means for moving the stop to carry the sheet from such position in a direction opposite that in which it is moved by said gripper-jaws, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination of a printing couple one member of which is adapted to rotate, means for forwarding sheets to said couple successively, means depemlent upon the coaction of the parts of said forwarding means with. a sheet for nalri 0 said couple operative or inoperatn sin is means for rotating 3 said rotary member and operating said forwarding cans, and means for effecting an adjustment of the time of operation of said forwarding means with respect to the rotation of said member, substantially as set forth.

30. The combination. of a printing couple one member of which is adapted to rotate, reciprocating forwarding devices for forwarding sheets to said couple successively, means dependent upon the coaction of the parts of said forwarding devices with a sheet for making said couple operative or inoperative, a single means for rotating said member and reciprocating said forwarding means, and means for effecting an adjustment of the time of reciprocation of said forwarding means with. respect to the rotation of said member, substantially as set forth.

31. The combination of a printing couple one member of which is rotary, a stop for arresting a sheet in feeding position, means for forwarding a sheet from the feeding position between the members of said couple, means for moving said step to inoperative position to permit a sheet to be forwarded past the stop and then returning it to operative pos1- tion in contact with the sheet, means dependent upon the coaction of the stop when thus returned with a sheet for making said couple operative or inoperative, a single means for operating said forwarding means and rotating said member, and means for elfectin an adiustment of the time of o aeration of said forwarding means with respect to the rotation of said member, substantially as set forth.

32. The combination of a movable member for acting upon a sheet, sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding sheets to said member including means for positioning a she-ct and moving the sheet in a direction away from said member, and means dependent upon the coaction of the parts of said apparatus with a sheet for making said member operative or inoperative, substantially as set forth.

03. The combination of a movable member for acting upon a sheet, a stop for arresting a sheet in feeling position, means'for actuating said step to move the sheet in a direction away from said member, means for forwarding the .sheets to said member, and means dependent upon said step for making said member operative or inoperative,sub

stantially as set forth.

3%. The combination of a movable member for acting upon a sheet, a stop for arresting a sheet in feeding position, means for actuating said step to move the sheet in a direction away from said member, means for moving said step to inoperative position to permit a sheet to be forwarded past the step and then returning it to operative position in contact with the sheet, means for forwarding the sheets to said member and means dependent upon the coaetien of said step with a sheet for making said member operative or inoperative, substantially as set forth.

35. The combination of a stencil-carrying with, a feed-board, sheet-forwarding devices, means for reciprocating said devices "to forward sheets successively between said drum and roller, means for positioning a sheet for coaction with said devices by an resting the movement of a sheet over said drum, a pressure-roller cooperating thereboard and then moving the sheet in a direction opposite that in which it was moved, and means dependent upon the coaction of said forwarding devices with a sheet for positioning said roller with relation to said drum, substantially as set forth.

36. The combination of a printing couple,

a stop for arresting a sheet in feeding position, sheet-forwarding devices, means for reciprocating said devices to forward sheets successively to said couple, means for moving said stop to inoperative position to permit a sheet to pass and then returning it to operative position in coaction with a sheet, and means depc ident upon the coaction of said step with a sheet when thus returned for making said couple operative or inoperative, substantially as set forth.

37. The combination of a printing couple, gripper-jaws, means for operating said jaws relatively to cause them to grip and release a sheet, means for reciprocating said jaws to forward sheets successivelyto said couple and return to initial position, a stop for position ing a sheet for coaction with said aws, means for moving said stop to permit the sheet to be forwarded past the stop and then returning it to initial position in contact with the sheet, and means dependent upon the coaction of said stop with a sheet when so=returned for making said printing couple operative or inoperative, substantially as set forth.

38. lhe combination of a stencil-carrying drum, a pressure-roller movable toward and away from the same, a stop for arresting a sheet in feeding position, reciprocating gripper-jaws for forwarding the sheet from the feeding position between said drum and roller, means for moving said stop to inoperative position to permit the sheet to be forwarded past the stop, means for returning the stop to operative position in contact with the sheet immediately after the edge of the sheet has been carried past the stop by said gripper-jaws, and means dependent upon the engagement of the stop with the sheet when thus returned for holding the pressure-roller away from the drum when no sheet is fed by said gripper-jaws and for permitting movement of the roller into coaction with the drum when a sheet is fed, substantially as set forth.

39. The combination of a stencil-carrying drum, a pressuraroller, a cam-mechanism operated by the drum for positioning the pressureroller, a stop for arresting a sheet in feeding position, means for forwarding the sheet from the feeding position between said drum and roller, means for moving said stop to inoperative position to permit a sheet to be forwarded past the stop and then returning it to operative position in contact with the sheet, and means dependent upon the coaction of the stop when thus returned with the sheet for rendering said cam-mechanism operative to hold the pressure-roller away from the drum when no sheet is fed between the drum and roller, substantially as set forth.

40. The combination of a stencil-carrying drum, a pressure-roller movable toward and away from the same, sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding sheets between the drum and pressure-roller, a cam on said drum, a part movingv with said pressure-roller, and means dependent upon the coaction of the parts of said apparatus with a sheet for moving said part to operative and inoperative positions in the former of which it is in engagement with said cam, substantially as set forth.

41. The combination of a stencil-carrying drum, a pressure-roller movable toward and away from the same, sheet-feeding apparatus for feeding sheets between the drum and pressure-roller, a cam on said drum, a part moving with said roller and adapted to coact with said cam, said cam being adapted to move said part to inoperative position, means for moving said part to operative position, and means dependent upon the coaction of the parts of said apparatus with a sheet for precluding movement of said part from inoperative to operative position, substantially as set forth.

42. The combination of a rotatable device for acting upon sheets successively, a feed-board, a stop for arresting a sheet fed over said board and for moving the sheet in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved to carry it into coaction with the stop, sheet-feeding apparatus for forwarding sheets to said device, a single means for rotating said device and operating said apparatus, and means for effecting an adjustment of the time of operation of said apparatus with respect to the rotation of said device, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 10 day of August, 1908.

ALBERT B. DICK.

Vvitnesses:

R. R. HARRINGTON, M. H. BURKART. 

